The Real Witch Trial History in the Film THE WITCH

The Real Witch Trial History in the Film "The Witch" The Witch (2015) and Real New England Witch Trial Records Robert Eggers’ 2015 horror film “The Witch: A New England Folktale” draws directly from historic witchcraft beliefs, journals, diaries, and witch trial court records. We compare the scenes in the movie to their real-life counterparts.  Based on our experience interviewing experts in witch trials and witchcraft belief, we analyze the movie’s ominous forest, the vanished infant, the blighted crops, the blood in the goat’s milk, the devil’s book, familiars, and afflictions to documented accusations from Salem and beyond. In the film, the devil promises Thomas fine things, butter, and living deliciously. We present what people really said in court about the devil’s promises. In our discussion, we cover key scenes involving Thomasin, Caleb, Mercy and Jonas, the rabbit, and Black Philip, while noting the film’s major departure from history. In the film, the witch is a monster who lives in the woods. In real trials, accusations were leveled at neighbors and even kin.  We invite listeners to continue the discussion on our Salem Witch Hunt Facebook page at facebook.com/salemwitchhunt. Chapters: 00:00 Halloween Setup 00:27 Film Premise 01:12 History Sources 02:36 Ominous Forest 05:42 Baby Vanishes 06:55 Witch Beliefs 09:43 Woodpile Symbolism 11:53 Devils Book Play 14:15 Missing Children 17:24 Black Philip Songs 20:04 Caleb And Rabbit 22:01 No Cat Choice 23:13 Devil Revealed 24:53 Witch Looks Explained 26:25 Devil Promises In Trials 28:32 Black Philip Undercover 29:22 Caleb Seduced And Drained 30:19 Afflictions From Records 32:34 Folklore Versus History 35:30 Protective Magic Missing 37:05 Illusions And Familiars 38:54 Puritan Doubt And Prayer 42:26 Could Story Work Without Witch 45:28 Thomasin Joins Sabbat 47:10 Favorites And Final Thoughts Links: Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhunt Salem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/ The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com The Witch | A 24 Films: https://a24films.com/films/witch